For many of us the memory of food is powerful, whether it’s nan's fruit cake or your mum's lasagna, there is a direct connection between the brain and taste. Science tells us that food memories can trigger a release of dopamine. This panel will discuss how what we cook and eat and who we choose to share food with can impact our mental health.
Julie Goodwin has made a career out of cooking memorable meals and in many cases her recipes have become some of our family favourites. Julie has also suffered mental health issues and will discuss some of her culinary tools for healing.
Bernadette Green, who has a background in social work and disability support, tackles mental health in her children’s books beautifully. Her latest book Saturday is Pancake Day playfully examines the impacts of mental health, on families, through food.
Kon Karapanagiotidis, CEO of Asylum Seeker Resource Centre started his own mental health organisation providing free advocacy and counselling and is known for his love of good food. Kon is very outspoken in the areas of refugee welfare, violence against women and receives a lot of vitriol online.
Jenny Valentish leads this deep dive into how food and good mental health can be a perfect pairing.
